Combined thermostat and time control



Sept. 18,1923.

F. M. SUTTON COMBINED THERMOSTAT AND TIME CONTROL Filed Feb. 26, 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet l MIMI INVENTOR. '75M m. Sm

)MJL/r E JMF 1 TToRNm's.

COMBINED THERMOSTAT AND TIME CONTROL Filed Feb, 26, 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. /wk 2M Sm Sept. 18`, 1923. 1,468,179

' F. M. SUTTON COMINED THERMOSTAT AND TIME CONTROL Filed Feb. 26. 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. '71M m m BY Mb E; Jf/z ATTORNEYS.

'Patented Sept. 18, 192,3.

UNITED STATES lPATENT OFFICE.

FRANK M. SUTTON, 0F VALLEJO, CALIFORNIA.'

COHBINED THERMOSTAT AND TIME CONTROL.

Application led February 26, 1920. Serial No. 361,452.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK SUTTON, a citizen of the`United btates, and a resident of Vallejo, Solano County, State of California, have invented 'new and useful Im rovements in Combined Thermostat an Time Contro's, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has for its ob'ect means whereby. the temperature contro and time of cooking in an oven, or'the like, is accomplished, and also whereby any given temperature or temperature range may be retained for an indefinite time, or for a pr'edetermined time, also whereby the period of cooking or heat exposure may be adjusted in advance to start at any particular timeand be maintained throughout` a pre determinedperiod ottime and at a pre# determined temperature, and thereafter automatically terminated.

Cther objects will appear :from the *de- Scription and drawings.

Theseobjects I accomplish by mounting within the oven one vor more heat generating units preferably of an electrical resistance type, and time controlling devices and temperature controlling devices and inten connecting electrical circuits, switches and circuit controlling mechanism actuated by Ithe time and temperaturexdevices whereby a complete automhticcontrol both of time and temperature, or of temperature independent of time may bereadily attained,

and further providing switch mechanism under the control of the operator whereby one or more heat units may be brought within the automatic control oi the time or temperature, or the time and temperature operating mechanism separately, or in cornbination.4 f By referring to the accompanying drawp ings my invention will be miade clear.

j Fig. 1 shows the thermostat control mechanism in cross section, and isv a frag- -nientary enlarged detail of the interior parts of Fig. 9. f

Fig. 2 shows the connections between the thermal control` mechanism shaft and the stationary elements, and also the pinion and thermostat quadrant.

Fig. 3 is a detailed view partly in section of the adjusting or setting device for the thermostat mechanism on the-line III-III 'of Fig. land at right angles thereto.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic showing of the electrical connections.

Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 are parts of the relay switches and operating solenoids.

Fig. 9 is a section through the oven top of the thermostat` and its connections and the control mechanism.

Fig. 10 is a perspectiveview of the oven -with the clock and therniostat control mechanism and rela-y switches in their assembled position. c l

Throughout the figures similar numerals @refer to identicalparts.

Referring iirstito Fig. 10, the oven is shown somewhat diagrammatically having walls as 73, 78, 79, 80, and a movable door 74.` I prefer to heat insulate these walls as also indicated in' my copending applications `Serial 258,925, tiledl Oct. 21, 1918, to which reference is herein made. l

1Within the oven I have shown shelves as 76, 77, and mounted in combination with the open I provide a clock or time mechanism having an arm under time control as 58, and adjustable contact points for the said arm 57,83 by which the commencement of the oven operating period and the termination of said operation or 'heat treatment is Fig. l, which I interpose in the electrical circuit connections and whereby the time control and the thermostat control effect the energization and de-energization of the ,electrical resistance units for establishing heat within the oven. A plurality of such heat units are shown diagrammatically in Fig.K l as at 91, 92, 93 and 94, 95, 96, and which are adapted to be plugged into the electric circuit connections as shown dia-4 grammatically at 97, 98, so that any of these heat lunits may be readily replaced or renewed as moesen may reqmre, and en@ er contact more of them energized through the switches 89 or 90, or both of said switches, when the contact vints 68,69 are suitably energized througli0 the rela 42. The switches 89 and 90 are intend to be hand controlled, and the switch lever 52 having points 53, 54 is also inten'ded tp be hand controlled as well as the setting of the time contacts 57 and 83, andthe thermostat' contact arms 20 and 16 may be adjusted through the hand adjustment of the milled head 33 and also by the screw head 36.

The temperature of the interior of the oven actuates the thermostat coil, shown iagrammatically at 75, Fig. 9, which may be of any suitable form, of which there are many known in th'e art; andwhich, upon a variation in temperature within the oven will rotate the shaft 32 in one direction or the other and 'thus actuate the quadrant 3l and pinion 30, and therefore actuate shaft 8 of the thermostat mechanism in one direction or the other, depending upon the temperature change.

.In detail,l the thermostat control of the heating circuit comprises a series of tele! scoping tubes (see igs. 1, 2, 3) in which 1 represents the casing or rear wall, 2 the dial and 3 the transparent face plate of said `for a metal shaft 8.

thermostat.

The rear metal wall 1 is provided with a boss which forms abearing 4 in whichis an insulated bushing 5. A screw 6 is threaded in the said bushing, and is provided with a point 7 to form aconical bearing at oneend The shaft 8 is provided with an angular groove 9 which is traversed by pin 10. The shaft 8 has a reduced portion 11 which is formed to receive a metal contact arm 12. Ihe end 11 is conicallyf pivot screw 13.

Surrounding the metal shaft 8 is an insulated bushing 14 surrounding which is a metal tube 15, to one end of which is suitthe metal tube 15 is an insulated tube 17, which in turn is surrounded by a metal tube 18 which exte ds through the dial 2 and terminates on the front line of the face plate 3. The tube 18 is cut away as shown at 19 12. All ofth 12,and 16.

Suitably secured to the metal tube 18 is 1 bridge 22 to permit the partial rotation of the arms a metal arm20. The arms 16 and 20 are L-shaped at their extremities; and are adapted to overlap ese arms platinum contact points with eachother when the 'arms are contacted to complete electric conductivity therethrough.

Surrounding the tube 18 is an -inmlatcd tube Qlrsllich insulatesibe tube llflma which extends transversely are provided with which may engage drilled to form aibearing foi-.a

g groove 39 extend'n 0n either Side the arm` downarm 20 alonthe tube 18 throu 1,4es,17e

Secured to the binding st 25 is one end of a spiral spring 28 similar to the springc 27 and secured at its opposite end to a shaft 15. This-spring conducts electrical current to the arm 16 while it is being rotated. Secured to the binding post 26 is one end of a spiral spring 29, the opposite end of which s'pring is secured to the shaft 8 and conducts electrical current to the arm 12 while it is rotated.

The shaft 8 is rotated by means of an insulated inion 30 suitably secured to said shaft and in mesh with a segment 31, which is secured which is part of any conventional thermostat. I

In order to form an external means ofA the arms 16 and 20 and to fix a. range 0 operation vfor the thermostat, the insulated tube 14 extends through and beyond the glass plate 3, and is milled as shown at33. The center o f the tube 14 is internally threaded .to receivethe' screw 13 and also a plug 34. The purpose of this plug is to cover a recess 35' inwhichY is a screw 36 extending toward the face plate 3 and rigidly secured to a pinion 37 which latter meshes with the inner toothed edge 38 of the tube 18. Y

It will be seen from this construction that, by removing the plug 34 and turning the screw 36,' the pinion 37 will cause the arm 20 to rotate with res t to the insulated tube 14, and which tugcis provided with a operating its periphery wh engagesY a screw 40, adapted tov prevent the longitudinal move ment of said tube, and at'the same time allow its rotation, z

The tubes d4, 15 and 17 are rigidly con nectedby an insulated rotation in unison.

The electrical current entering 26 paes through spring 29 throu shaft 8 vand through the arm 12, thus e current passesth e spring- 27,'and to so the current passes down 16,v 15, spring 2 8 and to terminal 25J' All the above circuits are thoroughl insulated from eachother and the main work.

lThe screw 36 adjusts the arms "16 and 20 closer together or further. apart so that the' e terminal 24.

to and rotated by a shaft 32 through a portion ofv pin 41 t0 insure their thence through includes a pair of solenoid contactors or rey lays 42 and 43 (see Figs. `5 and 6) which are alike in every respect except that the former throws a three pole switch, While the latter solenoid operates a two pole switch. Both of said solenoids are secured t an insulated base by U-shaped plates secured as shown at 44 to said insulated plate. The coil of the solenoids surrounds a plunger 45 having a reduced portion 46, upon which are washers 47. The purpose of the washers is to reciprocate verticallyone end I 'of a lever 48 pivoted as shown to a boss 49.

These levers serve to aetuate the contacts for closing the respective circuits. Any other relay or contactor of other design that isv of the circuit closing type would be suitable.

when current is applied to solenoid 42, the j th'ree fingers willl,close the heating circuit.

The wiring for my oven consists of a pair of wires and 51 connected to a suitable source of electric current supply. (See Fig. 4). The wire 51 is connected to ay switch lever 52 of a selective switch and is adapted to contact with either terminal 53 or 54. When terminal. 53 is engaged the current passes to 55 and 56 of the relay 43. When the relay is in the open circuit position of Fig. 4, the current passes to the clock start,- ing contact 57.

At the scheduled time, when the hand 58 of the clock engages57, relay 43 becomes energizedthrough resistance 59, which is in series with it, establishing circuit closing con-.

tacts 55 and 56, engaging them with contacts 60 and 61.

As soon as lthese contacts `aremade, or relay 43 is closed, the energy from 51 .lows through 56 establishing a circuit through 60 energizing relay 43 and resistance 59 back tothe supply 50. Thereafter the relay will 'continue to be energized even though the circuit through the clock is broken. When relay 43 is closed, a circuit is established at the same time through the slective switch 52 and contact 61 back to 54 and to the low heat point 20 onthe thermostat 63.

The thermostat, being cold, arm12engages arm 20- and a circuit is established through relay 42, and passes out through resistance 64 back to the supply 50; by this means this relay 42 becomes energize and contacts 65, 66, 67 are established through 68, 69, 70, and they circuit is established through the relay and out through its resistance 64 back to the wire 50. Thus a duplicate circuit is established. which leaves the thermostat arm 12 free to move from the low heat position without breaking the relay circuit. At the same time 66 engages 69, and engages 68 and the circuit is established through the heat units of the oven as follows:

In the drawing Fig. 4 it isassumed that there are two groups of three heat units each, which correspond with the showing of the heat units and 3-way blocks by which they are connected in the oven of my copending application, Serial No. 258,925, tiled October 21, 1918, and to which reference is vherein made.

lThese several resistances for heating the oven I have shown as "also under the control of selective switches, whereby one or more' of -the units' of either of these groups may be cut in or out at the will of the operator.

It will be seen that the circuit established by the relay 42, andtiowing through the terminals 68, 69 energizes the selectiveswitches 89, 90, and thereby energizes one or more of the resistance or heating units' 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, according as the selective switches 89 and 96 may be setby the operator, the return circuit being to the terminal 69 from the parallel connection on the said resistance units. The two .batteries of 3-wayplugs are shown at 97 and 98, through which the connections lmay advantageously be made. f

The thermostat arm 12 can now disengage from 2O without breaking the circuit and no arcing will take place. 'As' the thermostat is actuated by heat, the point 12 engages arm 16 at the predetermined point of higher temperature and a momentary rush of current takes place through the resistance 64, which has suiiicient capacity to carry full line voltage from 50 to 51, thus short circuiting the relay and disengaging the contacts 65, 66, 67 from 64, 68, 69, 70. As the oven cools, arm 12 disengages point 16, and as the circuitwas previously broken by the relay 42, the points will not arc.

The stored heat is maintained in the oven from the units 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96 forl a considerable time'. and as the oven cools to the lowest predetermined degree arm 12 again engages 20 and the heating operation is repeated. This cycle of operations continues until the hand of the clock reaches point 83 on the dial when the momentary short circuit takes place through the resistlill ance 59 and the relay 43 becomes demagne- `tized andtheycircuit 55, 56 opened from 60,

61, 'thus the thermostat circuit is opened and cannot cause the relay 42 to become eneri ,as before stated, takes place when the thermostat arm 12 contacts at 16. Thisfonly occurs when the oven has reached the.de'

sired temperature, and if-no'w the clock 'arm 58 is in contact with terminal 83, which may.- be made suitably to cover the necessary time interval of energizationof the heat units,-

the circuit will not only be interrupted throng? the relay 42, but it will not be there.

after e-established when the thermostat arm 12 contacts at 20, because of the open.

ing `of the thermostat .circuit by the relay 43. The oven will thus have been retained at the desired temperature during -t necessary time interval. predetermined bythe' range vof clock control and at a tem rature predetermined by the thermostat control.

It will be especially noted that when the clock intercepts the thermostat, if theoven is being heated,'this operationl is'continued undisturbed until the maximum' heat is reached before -thecurrent is shut oil 'from the heating elements. Thus the heating process can only be interceptedat the' end of a 4thermostat* cycle or when the thermo-v stat circuit is open, which is advantageous in that the ove'n and contents areat all times brought up to the highest specified point oheat before the -current is shut oil.

If it'tis desirable to'operate the' oven withl out using the clock, lthe switch 52 is turned to contact with54 and current'from the 'Wire 51 will fpassfthrough the points-52, 54 to 2 0 on the thermostatandthe cycle of heating operations will continue indefinitely with-4 out reference tothe clock'. I

It will be seen that 'the contacts on the) clcclr and the contacts on the thermostat are' movable pivotally to effect a predetermined range of time and temperature'operation, and that onthe 'clockvthe -poits are independently movable, while cn the thermostat. they move'in unison, the interval between' them being predetermined by' the -`adjust` .ment of the screw 36- and: preferably de. pendingupon the time interval required for bringing the oven up to the uisitet'em-V perature, and means are provide .for estab-Y lishing any relative position of the said points and over any range.

I claim:

1. In thermostat controlled mechanism, a pair of adjustable arms carrying contacts,

circuit and devices retaining-the relay i anda member 'therebetween ada ted to'com- Iplete a different electric circuit t rougheach of said' arms, and means actuated by tem.

the circuits is established at a temperature correspondingwith the adjustment of 'one of the arms and when contacting therewith and lwhereby the other circuit is established upon the contacting of the other arm by the member'. i i v2; vIn vthermostat controlled mechanism, a thermostat actuating lan arm, adjustable contacts positioned in linewith the move-- ment of the arml whereby acircuit is established by one of the contacts and the arm at one limit of-a temperature range and an-I` other circuit is established by the other contact and the arm at the other Limit of the temperature range, and means wherebythe two contacts may be adjustedindependently, and means 'whereby they may be moved iir synchronism to vary their positions with re.-

' spect to. the arm.

3. In'th'ermostat controlledmechanism, a thermostat actuating an arm, adJustable contacts positioned 'in line with thel movement'of the arm whereby a circuit is .estab v lishedby one of'the contacts and the arm at onelimit' of a temperature range,'the arms and contacts movable' about a common. center andA relatively insulated;-

'4.'ln thermostat controlled mechanism, a

thermostat 'actuating an arm,. adjustable contacts plositioned in line with thel move'- ment of] t e arm whereby a circuit is estab-v lished by one of the contacts and'the arm at l one limitofa temperature rangeand another circuit isl'establishedl by .the other contact and the arm at thel other ,limit of. the temperature ,lrange, and^=1 t 1eansi whereby the two-contacts may be adjusted.independently,

and means whereby they may be moved 1n synchronism to varythelr'positions with respect-.to the arm, thev arm andcontacts movable about acommon center and'relatively insulated.V v-

.v Y, f 5. 'In controlnechanism ofor 11n-electric oven..or the like, time controlled means establishing a relay circuit, a. relay actuated energization 'until the' time means'estab shes ioo

a lsecond circuit, and switch means and cir cuit means constructed and adapted toJ energize the' oven during the relay energization.

In testimony ywliex'eof,""have hereunto;

set, my hand at lSan vFrancisco,California, this 21st day of Februar 1920..

. .FRAN SUTTON. 

